When everyone in your group is paying the same percentage of the restaurant bill, order way more than you can eat and bring the extra home in doggie bags.

Buy presents for your friends and family that you would want but that they wouldn’t. Chances are, they’ll let you keep them.

Tell your friends about all your financial woes. Make them as shocking as possible such as “my brakes are really squealing, but I can’t afford to replace them.” They may feel sorry for you and give you the money.

Ask your friends to use their professional knowledge to help you for free. (Ask your lawyer friend to draw up a will for you, ask a beautician to cut your hair.) When it’s their turn to ask for your help, become busy.

For the office pals, never bring in goodies, but always indulge in whatever anyone else brings in. For potluck dinners or parties where everyone brings a dish, just show up but make up some sad story about how you were in a rush and didn’t have time and couldn’t stop at the store to grab something because you left your wallet home. You get the idea!